Lead Paint disclosures

[Pat L.]

Saw this on another site....
(we always verify the disclosure by the selling Landlord that the current tenants have full LP disclosure & signed).

NOT DOING LEAD DISCLOSURE IS SERIOUS
(AND COVERING IT UP IS EVEN WORSE)

A St. Petersburg landlord faces the prospect of federal prison.
The landlord, age 55, admits in court papers that he falsified lead paint disclosure forms, making it appear that renters knew of a risk before moving into contaminated apartments. He did so to throw off a federal grand jury investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency, court records state.

"The documents produced by the defendant were intended to deceive the EPA into believing that the defendant had been complying with federal law," according to a plea agreement filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Tampa. The penalty for such a crime? Up to 20 years in prison.

The federal case started after investigators found lead paint chips on the ground and in the soil of the landlord's apartments, during a renovation and painting project in 2011.
By law, lessors of pre-1978 homes must disclose any known lead paint to prospective residents, share inspection reports, distribute lead-hazard pamphlets - and then document those steps when a lease is signed. Seven forms were backdated and presented them to the EPA in May 2012 after being subpoenaed by the grand jury, the plea agreement states.

He's charged with altering or falsifying records in a federal investigation, a crime that also carries a fine of up to $250,000. His initial court appearance is set for Aug. 5 before Magistrate Judge Thomas G. Wilson, at which time he is scheduled to enter a guilty plea. He has no prior criminal record in Florida.